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Media releases

2015 media releases

Don't trade away our sovereign rights26 March 2015
Consumer advocacy group CHOICE has renewed its call for the text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement to be released following the latest leak, which details the threats to sovereign law making.

Hey Presto! Netflix has arrived24 March 2015
Following the launch of Netflix in Australia, consumer advocacy group CHOICE is encouraging consumers to compare and consider switching streaming providers on a regular basis as exclusive content deals still characterise the market.

2015 Ruby Hutchison Memorial Lecture19 March 2015
In honour of CHOICE's founder, the 2015 Ruby Hutchison Memorial Lecture, hosted by CHOICE and ASIC, will be delivered tonight at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music by Richard Cordray, the director of the US government's Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Just not right17 March 2015
Consumer advocacy group CHOICE has today launched a campaign calling on Kellogg’s and 6 other food manufacturers to roll out the front of pack health star rating on their products.

Educating Malcolm25 February 2015
CHOICE has launched a campaign encouraging consumers to help educate the Minister for Communications, Malcolm Turnbull about the need for consumer protections in a proposed industry run anti-piracy ‘education’ notice scheme.

CHOICE hails taxi surcharge cap24 February 2015
Consumers in Western Australia who frequently use taxis will be better off today following the state government’s decision to cap credit card surcharges.

Frozen fruit fiasco16 February 2015
CHOICE is calling on the Federal Government to take action on country of origin food labelling following the national recall of frozen mixed berries.

An investigation by consumer advocacy group CHOICE has found foreign owned brewing giant SAB Miller which owns Foster’s Group (Carlton & United Breweries [CUB]) is locking out genuine Aussie craft beers from the taps at your favourite local pub.

HideMyAss for safe, global online shopping30 January 2015
New CHOICE research reveals which Virtual Private Network (VPN) services offer the best privacy protection for internet browsing while also opening up a world of new products and services.

Slim pickings with dodgy diet advice29 January 2015
Consumer advocacy group CHOICE is warning Australians not to fall for the hype of a popular diet detox program being marketed through social media platforms such as Facebook.

CHOICE sizes up food packaging20 January 2015
With food and groceries the second biggest cost-of-living concern for Australian consumers[1], CHOICE has compared a selection of similar-looking groceries from rice bubbles to laundry powder to show consumers how they can get more value at the supermarket.

Car hire insurance rort8 January 2015
CHOICE says that buying your rental car insurance at point of sale or online through a car hire company will see you paying up to 491% more than getting coverage under a basic travel insurance policy.

2014 media releases

Refund rights unboxed26 December 2014
Whether you are purchasing gifts at a local store or clicking through a checkout online or in-app, CHOICE is reminding shoppers they are protected by the same Australian Consumer Law.

Extended warranty warning22 December 2014
CHOICE is reminding consumers to be on guard against retailers and manufacturers pushing unnecessary extended warranties in the lead up to Christmas.

Aussie kids set to cash in on Christmas19 December 2014
A CHOICE survey of Christmas spending has found 52% of Australians will buy gifts for kids, followed by partners (47%), and parents (38%) this year, with gift cards (41%), toys (35%), clothes (33%) and chocolate (32%) topping the list of presents.

Gift cards that stop giving11 December 2014
Although Australians spend $2.5 billion a year buying gift cards for family and friends, many consumers are unaware that the card they are buying might expire before it is redeemed, taking the good cheer out of Christmas and leaving your loved ones empty handed.

New CHOICE research reveals the two biggest drivers of piracy9 December 2014
New research from CHOICE has found people who illegally download content are frustrated by cost and availability of content in Australia. Pirates are also more likely to support the content industry through legitimate purchases than other Australians.

Smoking hot eyelashes5 December 2014
With everyone from Nicole Kidman to Lindsay Lohan lining up for the latest eyelash extensions, many unqualified and inexperienced practitioners are seeking to capitalise on this new beauty trend with sometimes alarming results for consumers.

Consumer celebrate five years of simpler grocery pricing2 December 2014
Consumers have enjoyed the benefits of compulsory grocery unit pricing for five years. CHOICE is now calling on supermarkets to voluntarily improve unit pricing because of how useful it is for the average shopper.

Time to call an end to the financial advice debate20 November 2014
CHOICE has welcomed the Senate’s decision to restore essential financial advice protections to Australians and is calling on the government to end the uncertainty that has plagued the industry by abandoning plans for any further changes to the law.

Flying blind with opt in insurance14 November 2014
A CHOICE review of travel insurance offered by Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin has found auto-selecting a policy when purchasing a plane ticket online can leave you grappling with exclusions and over paying for your travel insurance.

Bank to return nabbed late fees12 November 2014
CHOICE has welcomed the decision by NAB to settle a class action over unfair late payment fees and believes it sends a clear signal that other businesses should follow suit.

Avoiding rotten rentals31 October 2014
Renting a roof over your head can be the most affordable and often only option for millions of Australians but if you don’t know your rights lazy landlords can leave you languishing in damp, dangerous and dingy digs.

Report finds billions lost to toxic banking28 October 2014
Consumer advocates from across the globe have collaborated to report on the global cost to consumers from toxic banking practices such as inappropriate sales incentives. The report comes as the Australian Senate is set to vote on the Bill to finalise the removal of financial advice protections in Australia.

Made in claims should be taken with a grain of salt27 October 2014
CHOICE welcomes the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Industry’s recommendation that food country of origin labelling needs to change but believes the Committee has missed an opportunity to simplify the system for consumers.

What are we trading away?24 October 2014
CHOICE is calling on the Government to reveal what Australia is trading away in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) trade discussions being held in secret in Sydney tomorrow.

2014 Shonky Award Winners14 October 2014
Commonwealth Bank, Arnott’s, Amazon Kindle, Kmart and Thermomix were among the seven companies named and shamed at CHOICE’s annual Shonky Awards in Sydney today.

Which bank won a Shonky
14 October 2014
The Commonwealth Bank (CBA) was awarded the dubious honour of a CHOICE Shonky Award today following the slick PR campaign it served up to apologise for nearly a decade of dodgy financial advice.

Sugar coating sports drinks7 October 2014
CHOICE believes that allowing sports drinks to carry health claims will mislead consumers into believing that sports drinks are generally a healthy option and is warning the food regulator not to be sweet talked by the beverage industry.

Banking on the lazy tax1 October 2014
A review of credit cards by consumer advocacy group CHOICE has found consumers can reduce their interest rate by more than 10% by ditching products offered by the big four banks.

Court bans Coles from making dodgy credence claim29 September 2014
CHOICE has welcomed news that the Federal Court has banned Coles for three years from advertising that its bread is made or baked on the day it was sold and is calling on consumers to come forward with other crazy credence claims they have identified.

Court puts another crack in false free range claims23 September 2014
CHOICE’s campaign to clarify what ‘free-range’ means in Australia crossed another road today with the Federal Court finding that Pirovic Enterprises engaged in misleading conduct and made misleading representations in its labelling and promotion of eggs as ‘free-range’.

Taken for a ride down the aisle28 August 2014
A CHOICE undercover shadow shop has found that if you mention the word “wedding” when booking an event half the venues and many suppliers quote more than for an identical birthday event.

CHOICE calls for ban on conflicted advice26 August 2014
In its submission to the Financial System Inquiry CHOICE is calling for the banning of all fees, commissions and remuneration that create a risk of conflict of interest for financial advisers.

The first test for deregulated travel industry25 August 2014
CHOICE says the collapse of Australian Specialty Tours Pty Ltd in Victoria will show how well consumers are protected following industry deregulation on 1 July this year.

Consumer voice in travel industry20 August 2014
CHOICE has begun work on a new project that will provide a mix of research, tailored information, education campaigns and advocacy to improve the experience of Australian consumers in the travel market.

Anti-piracy paper high on costs but low on solutions30 July 2014
CHOICE says that the Federal Government’s Online Copyright Infringement discussion paper puts forward solutions which are likely to pass costs on to all internet users without dramatically reducing rates of piracy.

Leaked anti-piracy paper not so fancy29 July 2014
CHOICE says that the leaked Federal Government’s Online Copyright Infringement discussion paper sidesteps the Australia tax issue and fails to deal with the real causes of piracy.

Nestle milking parental guilt15 July 2014
CHOICE has found Aspen, Nestle and Nutricia are targeting unsuspecting parents with costly “junior milk” products that make a range of outlandish nutritional claims and offer few benefits to healthy toddlers.

Unhealthy premiums8 July 2014
A CHOICE review of health insurance has found consumers across the country can save $1400 on average on their premiums by selecting the right Top Hospital cover.

Discount divas big week on a song4 July 2014
A CHOICE journalist has saved an impressive $1143.65 on entertainment, household bills, wine, clothing, beauty and everyday bills in one week by using vouchers, finding discounts and buying items on sale.

Food ministers sign off on new star labelling scheme27 June 2014
CHOICE has welcomed the decision by food and health ministers from the federal, state and territory governments to give the final sign off on the Health Star Rating Scheme, and called on food manufacturers to start rolling out the ratings to help consumers make healthier choices.

Financial advice protections must stay20 June 2014
CHOICE is calling on federal politicians to oppose all legislation and regulation that will wind back essential protections for consumers seeking financial advice.

ACCC acts on dodgy drip pricing19 June 2014
CHOICE welcomes the news that the ACCC is cracking down on misleading drip pricing but says legal action is only the first step towards fair airfares for Australian consumers.

Court Cooks Coles Bread Claims18 June 2014
In a victory for common sense and consumers, the Federal Court has today ruled that Coles breached the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) with its “freshly baked” bread claims.

Governments get cracking on free range13 June 2014
CHOICE says the decision today by the nation’s consumer affairs ministers to commence the development of a draft National Information Standard for free-range eggs is great news for consumers who have been paying a premium for dodgy free-range eggs for far too long.

Pain pills hurting the hip pocket12 June 2014
When you’re in pain drug companies know you’re up for paying a premium if you believe a pill will relieve your pain faster or target a particular part of your body. In reality the only relief their targeted marketing claims provide is to the weight of your wallet.

CHOICE says time to axe the Australia Tax11 June 2014
CHOICE has called on the Federal Government’s Competition Policy Review to axe the ‘Australia tax’ and give consumers the benefits of more competition from overseas markets.

New research finds home insurance harder to come by in a time of climate change5 June 2014
Homebuyers are being warned that extreme weather risk combined climate events could double the price of a home insurance premium and erode property values in some areas by up to 40 per cent within the term of a mortgage, according to new research commissioned by The Climate Institute in partnership with consumer group CHOICE.

Online airfare pricing porkies4 June 2014
Have you ever felt under pressure when booking a flight online? A CHOICE review of the online booking processes on Virgin, Qantas and Expedia found consumers are fed dubious messages about available seats to encourage them to purchase tickets.

CHOICE wheys up yoghurt options3 June 2014
Consumer advocacy group CHOICE has looked at yoghurt products and found that while they are often marketed as healthy, low fat, calcium rich options for kids and adults alike, the truth is some are more like dairy-based desserts.

Media alert - Another storm brewing for retirees22 May 2014
Consumer advocate CHOICE will call on the Federal Government to abandon its proposed wind-back of financial advice protections following its appearance at today’s Senate Committee hearings into the Government’s changes to the Future of Financial Advice (FoFA) laws.

Media alert - CHOICE responds to the Federal Budget12 May 2014
CHOICE CEO Alan Kirkland will be available in Parliament House to provide a consumer perspective on the 2014 Federal Budget, including on how key measures will impact on everyday cost of living and services.

Ramming home risky home loans7 May 2014
Just six years after poor lending practices contributed to a global financial crisis, three high-risk borrowing strategies are back on the market to tempt those struggling to raise the deposit for a home loan.

CHOICE says FoFA wind-back must be abandoned30 April 2014
Consumer advocates are calling on the Government to abandon the wind back of Future of Financial Advice (FoFA) protections as a CHOICE survey found 81% of consumers were concerned at the prospect of bank tellers up-selling customers complex financial products.

The great surcharge price gouge continues18 March 2014
CHOICE says 12 months on from the introduction of rules designed to rein in excessive credit card surcharges, Australia’s worst surcharge offenders are continuing to take consumers for a ride.

Lunchbox stars revealed17 March 2014
CHOICE put popular lunchbox items to the test in a new analysis using the Health Star rating system and found significant variations in the nutritional profile of the products.

What krafty companies don't want you to know26 February 2014
CHOICE has used the recently released Health Star Rating Calculator to compare a selection of supermarket favourites, finding few stars among the offerings from food giant Mondelez, the parent company of Kraft, Cadbury, Nabisco and Oreo.

Premium SMS warning24 February 2014
Parents should be on the lookout for dodgy guerilla marketing teams who are reportedly pushing premium SMS services on children as young as 14 on their way home from school.

Government strikes out on internet policy21 February 2014
CHOICE is calling on the Federal Government not to introduce so-called ‘three strikes’ anti-piracy measures, which it says will push Australia into the digital dark ages.

Consumers at risk of financial wind back advice19 February 2014
In a submission on the proposed changes to the Future of Financial Advice (FoFA) reforms, CHOICE has called for a comprehensive regulatory impact statement to assess the impacts on consumers.

Healthy start for star system6 February 2014
With the launch of the Health Star Rating Scheme, food companies now have all the information required to roll out better nutrition labelling for consumers.

CHOICE rejects low value tax6 February 2014
In a submission ahead of the 2014-15 Federal Budget, CHOICE has provided new analysis showing the cost of proposals to reduce the GST low-value threshold (LVT) on imported goods would far outweigh the benefits.

Federal Court rules late payment fees exhorbitant5 February 2014
The decision by the Federal Court today against ANZ for charging excessive late payment fees is welcome news for consumers and should send a clear message to businesses that late fees must reflect actual costs.

CHOICE joins ABC1's The Checkout for another season29 January 2014
You can catch CHOICE's guilty mum Kate Browne alongside Julian Morrow and Craig Reucassel (The Chaser’s War on Everything, The Hamster Wheel), Kirsten Drysdale (Hungry Beast) and emerging writer/performers Zoe Norton Lodge, Ben Jenkins, Scott Abbot and Richard Cooke for a new season of The Checkout.

CHOICE asks how Aussie is our craft beer?26 January 2014
While beer consumption has been falling since the 1970s, Australian’s demand for quality is higher than ever with a record 150 breweries brewing craft beer across the country, but how local are our favourite craft beers?

Passing on presents8 January 2014
Online trading sites currently boast a book on Australian Mongrel working dogs, Stuart Crystal wine glasses, a bamboo manga drawing tablet and a surfboard CD rack. What do these items have in common? They’re re-gifted items for sale.

CHOICE says some New Years resolutions are worth keeping1 January 2014
Each year Australian consumers are confronted with shonky claims, over-priced goods and ever-more complex products and services. To help consumers avoid unnecessary fees and charges, dodgy credence claims, international price discrimination and warranty rorts, CHOICE is offering all Australians ten New Year’s resolutions that can help to ease cost of living pressures in 2014.

Refund rights26 December 2013
If you’ve unwrapped a dud this Christmas it’s important to know your rights when it comes to refunds, repairs and replacements. It doesn’t matter if the faulty product was purchased from a bricks and mortar retailer, an Australian website or an overseas website - consumers are protected by the same Australian Consumer Law.

Free range porkies23 December 2013
If you’re looking to put some pork on your fork this holiday, you may find yourself paying up to 600% more for free-range products.

Health insurance rises outpace CPI23 December 2013
With the Federal government signing off on private health insurance price rises for 2014, CHOICE is calling on Australians to health-check their insurance and make sure they have the cover need at a competitive price.

Consumer funded ad slams secret trade treaty5 December 2013
CHOICE will be running an advertisement in The Australian papers tomorrow (5 December) to inform the Australian public about the secretive Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement being negotiated in Singapore this weekend.

Pretty unfair4 December 2013
A CHOICE review of some popular lipsticks, moisturizers and colognes has found Australians are paying up to 200% more than overseas consumers for exactly the same products.

Retail warranty rort27 November 2013
85% of major electronics retailers have a lot to learn about consumer law.

CHOICE reveals size of proposed internet tax26 November 2013
CHOICE has for the first time revealed the size of the ‘internet tax’ proposed by local retailers, saying consumers and the economy more broadly would likely suffer from such a knee-jerk response.

Junk food fed through kids apps25 November 2013
A CHOICE review of junk food marketing to kids has found fast food companies using mobile phone apps and social media to push salty, fatty and sugary foods to children without even the limited voluntary restrictions found in television advertising.

Oh no Pea Beau22 November 2013
A CHOICE test of 15 surface sprays has found that hitting cockroaches with the old Pea Beu is the least effective way to take down these creepy crawlies, scoring a meagre 1 out of 100 in overall performance.

Trading bad15 November 2013
Are you one of the hundreds of thousands of Australians who could face new criminal penalties for illegally downloading content under the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership?

Egg on their face6 November 2013
Following the 8th annual Shonky Awards last week, CHOICE launched a ‘People’s Choice Shonkiest Shonky’ poll, inviting members of the public to vote for their favourite shonky.

The heat is on energy bills30 October 2013
CHOICE is turning the heat up on energy retailers in a bid to close a loophole that allows them to increase energy prices without informing consumers before they’ve already taken effect.

2013 Shonky Award winners29 October 2013
Qantas, Dairy Farmers, Energy Australia and Kleenex were among the eight companies named and shamed at CHOICE’s annual Shonky Awards in Sydney today.

Internet phones could signal the end for landlines17 October 2013
A CHOICE review of the growing market for Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services which allows consumers to make calls over the internet has found 51.2% of those surveyed used VoIP to make calls*.

CHOICE makes free-range super-complaint1 October 2013
NSW Fair Trading has been asked to investigate potentially misleading “free-range” egg claims after CHOICE found that consumers are paying double the price of cage eggs for products that are unlikely to meet their expectations.

Resist the call of duty19 September 2013
CHOICE’s spot check has found nine out of thirteen* products were more expensive in duty-free than from major Australian retailers and e-retailers. In fact, it appears that deluxe sized bottles of liquor are the only consistently less expensive product in duty-free shops**. The findings challenge consumer perceptions that duty-free shopping is great value all around.

Can you spot a fake online?13 September 2013
CHOICE has investigated the booming global trade in counterfeit products which is estimated to generate AU$272 billion annually as consumers fall for dodgy designer knock-offs and sophisticated copies.

Apple bites Aussies with new iPhone pricing12 September 2013
CHOICE is calling on consumers to express their disappointment with Apple following the release of the new iPhone pricing which will cost Australian consumers up to 14% (excluding GST) more than consumers in the United States.

CHOICE announces new Chair4 September 2013
CHOICE has announced the appointment of Nicole Rich as Chair of its Board, replacing Jenni Mack, who had earlier announced her intention to step down after ten years on the Board, including seven years as Chair.

Domestic robot invasion1 September 2013
A CHOICE review of domestic robot vacuum cleaners and mops has found the dream of time-poor Australians to be able to sit down and relax while an artificially intelligent device cleans the house is still a galaxy far, far away.

Paid celebrity posts25 August 2013
CHOICE believes celebrities should inform consumers when they are being paid to promote a product or service on social media. “Tweeting and posting ‘selfies’ is big business and rightly or wrongly consumers put a lot of trust in what celebrities have to say,” says Tom Godfrey, Head of Media at CHOICE.

Dangers of pregnancy pill popping16 August 2013
CHOICE reports that while over one third of pregnant women are taking herbal medicines, [1] many may be unaware of the potentially harmful side effects. 10% are not taking the recommended doses of folic acid and iodine.

Shoe shadow shop13 August 2013
CHOICE conducted an online shoe shadow shop and found when it comes to speed of delivery, sizing information and free delivery; traditional bricks and mortar retailers David Jones and Myer were shown a clean pair of heels by local online shops and two UK outlets.

CHOICE says it is time to fast forward copyright past the VHS era13 August 2013
CHOICE today released new research* showing - one in seven (14%) consumers are - breaking the law by copying music or – videos they own onto devices like iPods and tablet computers for personal use, highlighting the absurdity of Australia’s outdated copyright regime.

Aussie gamers are under attack30 July 2013
Tuesday 30 July, 2013. A CHOICE review of PS4 and Xbox One games such as Battlefield 4, Call of Duty Ghosts, and Destiny found the games will cost 37% more in Australia than in the United States, reinforcing the digital discrimination faced by local gamers.

CHOICE welcomes IT pricing review findings29 July 2013
CHOICE has welcomed today’s final report from the Federal Parliament’s inquiry into IT pricing, saying it delivers a clear blueprint to reduce the digital price discrimination faced by Australian consumers.

Queensland flies the coop24 July 2013
CHOICE says the Queensland Government’s backflip on free-range egg stocking density has scrambled its own standard, leaving consumers in a flap.

Winter wheat bag warning20 June 2013
Following a joint CHOICE and Channel 7 News investigation, it has been found that children’s cuddly toys containing wheat bags needed only a few minutes in the microwave to pose a potentially deadly threat to consumers.

Health insurance rip off13 June 2013
A CHOICE investigation into the Australian health insurance industry looking at more than 25,000 health insurance1 policies has found that 19% of health expenditure comes directly from the pockets of Australian consumers and isn’t rebated by Medicare, which is the highest contribution of all English-speaking countries.

Bottled water has consumers boiling7 June 2013
CHOICE has calculated that Australians are paying 2000 times more than the cost of tap water to drink from a bottle even though 93% of households are connected to town water.

Credit card surcharges need government action29 May 2013
A new survey commissioned by CHOICE has found that close to half of Australians who reported paying a credit card surcharge in the last three months say they were not offered or made aware of an alternative, surcharge-free payment method.

CHOICE welcomes new head of media Tom Godfrey10 May 2013
CHOICE today announced that Tom Godfrey will take on the role of Head of Media, bringing with him over 15 years of experience in public relations, corporate communications and digital media strategy.

SimCity limits18 April 2013
In response to ongoing problems with the latest release of Electronic Art’s (EA) SimCity CHOICE has published a guide advising consumers on how they can get a refund on the game.

CHOICE finds top selling Nespresso pods not so tasty18 April 2013
While George Clooney’s looks may have helped Nespresso explode into a billion dollar global brand, CHOICE has found the coffee capsules aren’t as hot as their competitors, placing fourth out of five in a taste test.

Stop the confusion27 March 2013
CHOICE has welcomed recommendations that the government develop a more effective approach to country of origin labelling after an inquiry found that consumers were confused by the current approach.

Clock ticking on outrageous surcharges19 March 2013
CHOICE says time has run out for excessive credit card surcharges, with the Reserve Bank's new rules limiting surcharges coming into effect today.

Salt levels on shaky ground11 March 2013
In an era where manufacturers are meant to be reducing salt levels in processed food, a CHOICE review of kids’ food has found unacceptably high-levels of salt in a raft of products, including breakfast cereals and lunch box snacks. In some instances, a food product marketed at children was found to have more salt than the adult equivalent.

CHOICE exposes Australian dirty dishwashing habits5 March 2013
From the dodgy habit of leaning plates together to the scandal of ‘shadowing’ – where bowls are placed over one other – a CHOICE survey has opened the lid on Australian dishwashing habits and discovered a raft of dirty problems and sticky issues.

When packaging attacks20 February 2013
In response to the pervasiveness of frustrating, impenetrable and potentially dangerous packaging, CHOICE is today launching “Pack Attack”, a campaign calling on manufacturers to adopt packaging that doesn’t require knives, scissors or super-human strength to access.

CHOICE welcomes summons of tech giants11 February 2013
CHOICE welcomes the move by the Federal Parliamentary Committee investigating digital prices to make international tech giants front up and explain the high prices paid by Australians.

Steaking out the truth7 February 2013
With steaks on supermarket shelves and restaurant menus increasingly coming from beef farmed in a variety of ways – from organic to grain-fed to hormone-free - CHOICE says consumers need to be better informed about what they are buying.